Police Chase Results in Injury

Once again, police officers chasing a suspect who was evading arrest resulted in injuries to innocent motorists. Shortly after 10:00 p.m. on Sunday night, October 21, 2018, police began to chase a suspect who refused to comply with a routine traffic stop. The chase started close to the intersection of York Street and Harrisburg Boulevard. The suspect fled in his white SUV towards downtown. Reaching Chartres Street near Texas Street, the suspect slammed into the rear of a Honda Civic, knocking it into the back of another vehicle. The crash was so hard that it ejected a woman from the Civic. Still trying to flee, the suspect then reversed, and in the process, he hit a truck and another vehicle. Shortly after that, the police apprehended him near the intersection of Texas and Bastrop streets. The suspect evidently was attempting to evade arrest for driving with a suspended license and because he was driving while intoxicated. He has now been charged with evading, DWI, failure to stop and render aid, and intoxication assault.

In addition to the woman who was ejected, three others, including a child, were taken for treatment to a hospital. The details of their injuries have not been released.

This case highlights again the extreme risks imposed by high-speed police chases. In fact, prior chases have resulted in fatalities.

Certainly, police want to, and should, apprehend those suspected of violating the law. But, at the same time, they need to avoid imposing additional and greater hazards upon members of our community who are lawfully using our streets. Other cities in this country have faced the same problem and have fashioned policies in response. They address the need to arrest suspected lawbreakers while not precipitating a hazardous, potentially deadly, chase with suspects who might be reckless, dangerous, or even intoxicated. It is time for city and county leaders to form and empower a commission to study the solutions to this issue, and to make recommendations for policy changes to local law enforcement officials before any other motorists are injured or killed.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz by calling 713-222-7211 or toll free at 1-800-870-9584.

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The Equal Access to Justice Champions Program was started by the Houston Bar Association in 2006, to help ensure placement of Houston Volunteer Lawyers cases with pro bono volunteers. Originally, firms were tiered according to size, and firms within each tier committed to accept a certain number of pro bono cases from HVL each year for five years.

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Established in 1993, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (which includes the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum) is one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. There are over 4000 members throughout the country. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members.

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In order to earn the Lead Counsel Rating, an attorney must not only demonstrate significant legal experience, but must also receive multiple peer recommendations advocating his or her ability. This is a key component in the screening process.

Each year, Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Texas via a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation. The Texas lawyers who receive the highest point totals during this selection process are further recognized in Texas Super Lawyers Top Lists.

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The firm successfully represented nearly 100 victims who suffered personal injuries and damages to property from a large fire and explosion resulting in a settlement of more than $50 million. The firm served as lead lawyers on the steering committee in this litigation.

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The firm successfully represented 270 plaintiffs', taking a lead role in the plaintiffs' steering committee, who suffered injuries in a large plant explosion resulting in a settlement of nearly $80 million.

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The firm successfully represented 45 personal injury victims in a plant fire and explosion, serving on the plaintiffs' steering committee, concluding with a settlement of more than $50 million.

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The firm prevailed in a personal injury trial for a worksite injury client with the jury returning a verdict and resulting in a judgment of over $22 million for the firm's client.

$12 Million Auto Accident 18-Wheeler Collision

The firm successfully achieved a $12 million settlement for the family of a man who died in an 18 wheeler collision.

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The firm prevailed on behalf of three burn victims with settlements totaling nearly $30 million.

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